Michael Palaeologus

Two days to go to curry time!!!

I am pondering a weekend break into the Ardennes, moody trees, rusty tanks, beer, interesting ham. Anybody got a recommendation re where to stay? I have stayed in Namur before.

Your 20th Birthday? That Brum, he's a One. ;-)

Cool LB. We will probably stagger round to the Surma at 8.30ish.

You can drive there now!!

Its this coming Thursday curry lovers! Meet at the EDT at about 7.30 and, after a sharpener, on to the Surma. Please meet us at The Surma if you dont fancy the sharpener.

A few years ago I did some work for DFID and had the opportunity to travel to a number of their offices in the developing world. It isnt until you some face to face with dire proverty and its degrading impact on people that you truly understand the need for development aid. It is this level of proverty that provides a breeding ground for the politics of hate and extremism. Thankfully now that aid is given is a focused and thoughtful way which is more about capacity building and relevant (low) technology solutions rather than just giving food and tractors; an approach that generates long term dependency and solves little. I would go as far as to say that the levels of poverty in the UK are as nothing to those found in Ethiopia, Bangladesh or Nepal. All things are relative.

Untamed your talents could be put to good use writing editorials for the Daily Mail. Their act was distasteful but, as has been noted, it was a tiny group of young men. Unfortunately elements of the media gave them the oxygen of publicity. This same group of young men does not have the wit to understand that the culture that they despise and berate is the same culture that gives them the freedom to despise and berate in public. To say that "many Muslims are disgraced" by the act is a gross misrepresentation, they cant be disgraced for the act as they were not responsible for it.

Yet the Karter did appear.....

Work knees up for me I am afraid - having said that, that didnt stop me attending the gig at The Plough the Xmas before last...

6.30 it is ....

This has been tried, but as soon as we got merry we just swapped them and caused even more confusion. Childish but fun.

M&S Food or a massage parlour or a very small lap dancing club, for those with small laps - now that could be any tiny person or those specific to Northern Scandinavia

My suggestion would be go to ED Deli and buy some and pass them off as your own.

"Striking on 5th will obviously divide public opinion" NO IT WONT!! - It will unite public opinion againt the Firemen and provides management with an opportunity to portray Firemen as selfish and willing to risk lives in pursuit of their dispute.

Remember, Remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and strike. That will be all of the public bonfires and fireworks cancelled for insurance reasons. It does seem a very spiteful act from the Fire-fighters. Whatever the merits of their cause, this will lose public support.

:)-D:)-D

Steady on, steady on. I am merely a jobbing curry lover. Indeed any spicy food will do, I have today returned from Olu Deniz and would recommend the Sultan Ahmet restaurant for those that enjoy good Turkish food. I stand by my review of Veer Zara - but did at the time point out that they were newly open. The joy of the Curry Club is that we give second and third chances. Thus even after my first experience we took a group of 14 along and had a good evening, things had improved in a short time. Good for them. The Veer Zara menu is somewhat generic, in that it is contemporary generic. If you go to those restaurants that have refurbed and re-opened in the past few years you will find that their menus have gone in a similar direction. What I think is particularly welcome is that they now reflect their Anglo-Bangladeshi heritage rather than the pretence that they are "Indian". There is an instinct amongst the new owners of restaurants to adopt a forumla that is perceived to be successfull and drop that which is thought to be old hat. However, old-hat can be good. It has the comfort of the familiar and the very well practiced and so is well done.

Sounds lovely - with a slow roasted joint of wither mutton from Borough Market with roasted spuds, just add rosemary and garlic.

Before we see Vegan domination of the world, can somebody make vegan food taste nice please? Alternatively, make vegan food taste of something. That would be good.

Looking back through the thread we havent been to either the Surma or Dulwich Tandoori for ages. How about one of those two? Surma perhaps? That hasnt had a visit in living memory.

18/11 works for me.

When would people like it? Logically it would be w/c 15/11 - I can do Monday to Thursday inclusively at the moment.

A paper cut is the worst thing ever - it is a well known fact. A rescued Chilean Miner was asked if the entombment was his worst experience ever? "Aye Chichuahua", said he, "It was bad, but I had a paper cut from a curry restaurant flier that was pushed through our door last year. That was bloody awful. Madre de Dios". It was a great evening, 14 curry eating souls and Veer Zara did us proud. My Lamb Tikka was good, Hibbs' lamb dish was also very good :)) The red paint is still a little sudden to my eye, but each to their own. Where and when next?

Stay off the Port then!!